Tech diving, equipment, awareness and too much too soon

[Lock Down]

I would just like to thankyou for putting the time, thought and effort into that "discussion" that you obviously did. It was well written and well thought out. I agree whole heartedly that going back to the basics and always working to improve is vital to being a good diver. Pick 1 skill to improve or advance on every dive, I don't mean to say that every dive should be thought of as a training dive but whlie swimming during the dive put some effort into staying at one depth and not yo-yoing, this can also be done during the safety stop. Let go of the line if you have one and concentrate on your buoyancy. You can still have just as much fun and I think you will be suprised at how much you can improve in a little time...

 

[kalidor's8]

One thing I have noticed which may account for some of the problem, is the dive shops. I have seen a few that tend to push further courses while the students are still in OW. I have even heard instructors say before even the first pool dive they wanted students to sign up for another course. I know not everyone is like this and I am not trying to start trouble, I am just trying to add another angle to things.

 

[rockjock3]

I asked him what it was his previous instructor warned him about? He answered that the other instructor told him to go out and practice some first. When I saw him in the water I told him straight up that he was not ready for AOW and that in my (subjective) opinion he should not have passed OW, Our class ended right there. A month later I see him and he shows me his AOW card signed off by yet another instructor, Was his skill any better? Sadly no

I thought your whole report was great. This part above stood out to me though.

What you wrote above is an illustration of what many people view as the bad part of certification. The sad part is they blame the poor skills of the diver mentioned above on the agency. It isn't the fault of any of the agencies though. They set the standard and then it is up to the instructor and also the perserverence (good or bad) of the individual. This guy had two instructors tell him he wasn't ready and that he needs to practice some more. He obviously kept trying though until he found one that didn't care about his ability, but cared about the money. So, he got his card and hopefully won't get in trouble on an advanced dive that he thinks he is ready for because of a poor instructor and his ability to not hear people that where trying to help him.

Thanks again. I had an instructor like you for my tech classes "I'm not about the card I am about the training" and it was awesome. He one of the best instructors I have ever had and I will complete all of my tech training that I can take from him, with him if possible. When I complete a course with him I know the material/skills and am very confident in my ability to perform at the level needed. We need many more instructors like that.

 

[Bob Vincent]

A third diver felt that by coming to me they could circumvent their previous instructor's warnings and wanting to take a AOW class with me so that he could get the card and do the dives where it was required to be AOW. My first statement to him is I'm not about the card I am about the training. I asked him what it was his previous instructor warned him about? He answered that the other instructor told him to go out and practice some first. When I saw him in the water I told him straight up that he was not ready for AOW and that in my (subjective) opinion he should not have passed OW, Our class ended right there. A month later I see him and he shows me his AOW card signed off by yet another instructor, Was his skill any better? Sadly no


Scary:no

 

[dvr4lyf]

I just came across this post and needed to say Thank you to the OP!!!
Subjectively very well put! Our "sport" carries such a broad spectrum of personalities that it can be difficult for some to lose site of the "fundies" and just go for the fun.

Be safe out there.

 

[mitosblog]

very well written, thanks

 

[Scubasteve1982]

Great post, thanks for the info!

 

[marcienko]

Very nice post .Thank you.

 

[ScubaSpicher]

One thing I have noticed which may account for some of the problem, is the dive shops. I have seen a few that tend to push further courses while the students are still in OW. I have even heard instructors say before even the first pool dive they wanted students to sign up for another course. I know not everyone is like this and I am not trying to start trouble, I am just trying to add another angle to things.

I cannot agree my, a LDS near me informs newly certified divers that the best thing the can do to improve skill is to take an AOW class. I did and was not ready! Just after my OW checkout dives, my buoyancy was all over the place! I since dropped the thought of plowing through every course offered and have worked a lot on basic skills!

Again great post! Well written too I may add!

 

[Skeeter1097]

Well said I think you have it. Thank you for saying what a lot think.